Fox bites man, dog in Chevy Chase

WASHINGTON – Residents of a local neighborhood are being urged to be cautious after what residents believe to be a fox bit a person and a pet.

Chevy Chase resident Peter Lara was sitting on his deck with family Wednesday night when he spotted what he says was a fox. He admits his decision to follow the animal to the front of his house on Turner Lane probably wasn’t the best idea.

“It undoubtedly felt cornered,” he says. Lara says the animal came at him twice, biting his lower leg. He was able to fight it off by swinging a heavy flashlight, and is getting a series of rabies shots as a precaution.

Captain Michael Wahl of the Montgomery County Police Animal Services Division says they also received a report of a dog being attacked by a fox on Cummings Lane Wednesday night. As a result, an animal services van is now patrolling the area.

Residents who believe they’ve spotted anything are asked to contact the Humane Society’s 24-hour number at 240-773-5900.

Bill Line from the National Park Service says the wooded area near the Martin’s Additions neighborhood is prime living territory for foxes and rabbits. He says foxes are usually frightened of humans, and loudly screaming at them usually gets them to run away.